New York stresses vibrancy

New York stressed the vibrancy of 'the city that never sleeps', its ethnic diversity and the never-give-up attitude of its citizens as it presented its bid to stage the 2012 Olympics on Wednesday.

New York mayor Michael Bloomberg and Senator Hillary Clinton told International Olympic Committee (IOC) members about the city's enthusiasm for the Games, backed by video clips from President George W. Bush and former president Bill Clinton.

The IOC votes later on Wednesday on which of the five candidates -- London, Madrid, Moscow, New York or Paris -- will be awarded the Games. The announcement is due at around 1715 IST.

The Americans opened their hour-long presentation with a film in which ordinary New Yorkers of many different ethnic origins spoke in almost as many different languages of their enthusiasm for the city and the Olympics.

The Frank Sinatra song of the city that never sleeps played and the voice-over spoke of "the city where anything can happen and, on a daily basis, does".

Former Olympic champions, swimmer Janet Evans and long jumper Bob Beamon, described the fun athletes would have in the centrally located Olympic village and the vibrant entertainment available to them in Manhattan.

Muhammad Ali, possibly the greatest sports personality of them all, was introduced to prolonged applause.